Let’s face it; everyone has been late one time or another.  Is it really worth putting your life at risk by speeding?  Chances are that even speeding to your destination will not make that much of a difference.  Think about what happens when you speed: you have less time to react and a sharp turn, animal, child or another vehicle could show up without warning, and then what are you going to do?  The faster you go, the more time it will take you to stop., so the chances of having a crash and injury are increased.  

In the Idaho State Driver’s manual you will find a chart of speed and stopping distances: 

• At 20mph it will take a total of 67 feet to come to a complete stop

• When you are traveling 60mph the total goes up to 335 feet which is roughly the length of a football field 

These statistics stem from tests performed under the best type of road surfaces and most favorable conditions.  If the road is wet, the stopping time required will increase.  The major cause of motor vehicle accidents is driving too fast. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31% of fatal accidents in Idaho were speeding involved crashes.  These are just the fatalities.  When you are in an accident, you and the passengers of your vehicle are vulnerable to injuries.  Depending on the severity of the accident, the injuries may alter your life forever.  One day you might be able to walk and the next you are confined to a wheelchair. 

Another staggering statistic is that speed-related crashes will cost society more than $40 billion each year.